THIS is the 15-year-old face of one of Yorkshire's most famous sons.

The sculpture of slave trade abolitionist William Wilberforce as a schoolboy will sit in the grounds of Pocklington School, where he was once a pupil.

It has been created by Holtby-based artist Sally Arnup to mark 200 years since the trade in human beings was abolished.

The life-size work in clay will be sent to a foundry next month to be cast in bronze.

It will be unveiled in September by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, at a special garden to be created by the school.

Sally said she took her inspiration from a handful of surviving portraits and stone-carvings of the young Wilberforce. She started the work in July.

"I am very pleased to have been commissioned," she said. "He is an important figure and he has meant a lot to all of us.

"Pocklington School was concerned because he was their pupil, but he has influenced us all."

The work can be viewed in her studio and gallery in Panman Lane, Holtby, on January 27 and 28, from 10am to 5pm.